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My parents have limited income with growing out of pocket medical expenses for my father. Mother is currently in hospice at home care.
I would like to help my father apply for SNAP and HEAP assistance. And perhaps Mediciad community insurance. However, I have a lot on my plate with my own work schedule, own family, and also POA for my uncle on Mediciad Long Term.
Do you recommend utilizing any proffesional attorneys or just use the county assisted help lines for this type of assistance? Can anyone provide advise or guidance with this type of assistance. Thanks in advance.

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Usually you can go online and apply for Medicaid and SNAP and LIHEAP all in one place. Or you can go to the county assistance office and get an application. You don't need a lawyer. They will tell you what you need to collect, like copies of utility bills and the like. If they own a house, depending on the state, that may not count, nor will one car. Your state will have that info online which you should read carefully before applying to make it easier for yourself. There's no penalty if you apply and they don't qualify, so it won't hurt to try. The applications are usually not difficult to fill out, and the paperwork they want for verification is usually easy to find.

These are all means tested programs which means if your parents make too much money or have too many assets like properties and accounts with lots of money, they won't qualify. But like I said it doesn't hurt or cost anything to apply, the worst they can say is no.
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Reply to SamTheManager
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In addition to the answers below you might want to talk to the Hospice Social Worker. They may be able to help or give numbers and information that may help. The Hospice Team is not just for the person on Hospice but for the family as they go through this Journey,
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Reply to Grandma1954
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HEAP is available to renters of property, if the renters pay for the heat (directly or as part of their rent payments).
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Reply to Rosered6
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One possible source of help is your parents' local ADRC (aging and disability resource center) or equivalent. The one in my county states the following:

The ADRC provides unbiased information on a broad range of programs and services. We can also help you apply for benefits and programs. 

The ADRC can connect you to resources such as: In-home care, adaptive equipment, transportation, health, nutrition, public benefit programs, Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security, caregiver support and respite. 
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Reply to Rosered6
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AMZebbC Dec 16, 2025
Thank you.
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I don't think a lawyer's assistance is needed to apply for SNAP or HEAP. For Medicaid, maybe, but the cost of a lawyer's help might be out of reach for your parents.
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Reply to Rosered6
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If they have property, the sale of it is what needs to happen to pay off whatever expenses. Should he go to a home, Medicaid won’t leave him enough to pay even the taxes on the house. SNAP and HEAP should be easier to get but people need to appreciate the times we live in.

Everyone is looking at everyone for programs and people the government need not support anymore.
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Reply to PeggySue2020
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AMZebbC Dec 16, 2025
Assistance when medical expenses are overwhelming a person financially should be available. It's not as if they purposely created an illness they cant afford.
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